CHATHAM — Rick Stillman says the Panther Creek Bowhunter’s Archery Club is “the best-kept secret that’s not really supposed to be a secret.”

Stillman, the club’s conservation representative, was on the clubhouse porch with other members Sunday watching the last of the day’s archers finish the heavily wooded, 80-acre course as part of an open shoot for members and the public.

Members heckled shooters whose final task of the day was to shoot an arrow through a hockey puck-sized hole cut out of the middle of a black steel plate in the shape of a panther.

“It’s surprising how many people that have lived in the area forever don’t know it exists,” Stillman said of the club, first chartered in 1956. “We like promoting archery, that’s what we try to do here.”

“That’s what this place was founded on. The promotion of the discipline of archery,” said Bill Mohn, past president of the club. “It’s fun getting out in nature instead of sitting behind a computer. Get your butt out and enjoy the outside.”

Mohn said the club pushes the idea that archery is a family affair, not just something for men. To help achieve that goal, the club hosts events like birthday parties and 4-H instruction in addition to open shoots and normal member activities.

The nonprofit club is maintained by all its more than 60 members. In addition to paying a $50 yearly fee, individuals are required to put in 12 hours of labor to help take care of the grounds. Families can become members for $75 and must put in 18 hours of work.

One expense the club doesn’t have is paying to use the land. City Water, Light and Power leased the 80-acre site to the club in 1956 for 99 years for just $1.

Club member Lon Crook of Williamsville said archery, like golf, is a family sport people of all ages can enjoy.

“What other sport can you do your whole life, and do as a family?” Crook said. “It’s one of those things that can go with you for life.”

Crook spent the day at the club with his daughter, Katelyn, 16, who also shoots.

“As a dad, having something I can do with my daughter and having that connection ... to me it’s priceless,” Crook said.

Katelyn said she started shooting when she was 8 and has stuck with the sport despite it not being popular with most girls her age.

But more girls seem to be warming up to archery thanks to films like “Brave” and the “Hunger Games” series, which feature expert female archers.

“It seems to have made a difference,” Stillman agreed.

Mohn said anyone is welcome to become a member, regardless of how competitive or non-competitive one is.

Page 2 of 2 - “I don’t care what kind of bow you use, what targets you shoot at. As long as you shoot arrows,” he said.